Short and Sweet. Sad strange times are upon us with the Covid - 19  virus forcing everybody into lockdown so we all stay safe and stay healthy. Music is sadly off the menu but when we are able the club we will be back with our JAWS concert series.  As of now the JAWS concert for March which was to feature the Greg Knowles Band has been cancelled. On a high note our very first JAWS concert  of the year was a huge sucess with a full house enjoying the All Girl Big Band. Even had to turn people away due to health and safety numbers. What a great way to start the year. Two of our Club members have received Civic Awards this year: KIM BLACKMORE: For 20 years as musical director and conductor of Stedfast Brass not only arranging the performances but also giving tuition to new and less skilled members. Congratulations Kim. here is a link to his story.     https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/top-brass-performer-a-steadfast-supporter JUDI SMITHERAM: For work as President of the Canterbury Folk Music Festival which under her leadership has developed into a national event that attracts musicians from around New Zealand and the world. Congratulations Judi. Christchurch music is again in the news with Duncan Ferguson of St Andrews College winning a Tui for Music Teacher of the year. Congratulations must  also go to Dave Pitt the head of music at Papanui High School. His Combo and Big band won the top award at the school music awards held in Bleheim this August 2019. The Clubs PA is available for Hire. Special Conditions apply. Contact Bert Parrant 027 3548155.  September meeting tonight  for the committee and we now have Dale Inwood on Board. Dale has previous experience  with our club and in the music business so her imput will be most helpful and appreciated. Club members can now get  up to a 15% discount from the Rockshop as of today, August 21st, 2019. Discount does not apply to specials or small purchases. Other musical shops and businesses dealing in our profession have a  10%  reduction on musical equipment and services. These businesses are listed on our first page slideshow.  The Mainland Big Band play every 1st Saturday of the month at the Cashmere Club. If your a dancer go and enjoy their music. Entry is $10.  The Clubs AGM was held at the Cashmere Club on August 4th and 23 people attended. Our auditor said this years books were near perfect so credit must go to Roger Hanson for all his hard work and diligence. The Amy Winehouse tribute concert featuring Celine Graham was another success for our Keeping Music Live series. Good crowd and response. Chisnallwood School Band under the direction of Judith Bell recently played a concert for the Musicians club KML series and showed us music is in good hands. This band is off to China to perform so we wish them well. This will be a huge adventure for 12 year olds and I'm sure will result in many future musicians going through Ara's music arts programme. Now hear this! This is not fake news. Local Boy Marlon Williams has got himself a gig in a film with Lady Gaga and  Bradley Cooper. The original 1976 film was, A Star is Born starring Barbara Streisand. Marlon also won album of the year at our NZ music awards for 2018. He also performed recently in the mosque tribute concert and sang " And I Love You So" in Maori. very brave and very well done. Several of our Christchurch Pop Choir are heading off overseas to perform next year at Carnegie Hall. The Folk Club is still going great guns on Sundays at the Irish Society Club hall, 29 Domain terrace. Marguerite and Barrie Clubb are still going strong with recording musical performances at their fantastic earthy Greendale ex church venue. Bruce Lemming has recently be made a life member of the musos club. Another  new recruit is Brian Clarke of the Meanies Band. Christchurchs Mr Music, Charlie Jemmett  is now in full swing at the New Brighton Market on Saturdays and the Riccarton Market on Sunday. Charlie loves a good chat, so stop by. The concert by the Swan Sisters (Amiria Grenell and Amy Grace) for our musicians club KLM series was a great sucess and showed those who attended that our local musicians can hold there own with any in the country.  Now a wee reflection, some blues. Sadly in the last few years we have lost many first class local muso's to the great gig in the sky. We remember Stu Buchanan, Doug Petrie, Brian Ringrose, Mita Edwards, Peter Hanson, Trevor Latham, Jim Phillips, Dean Luke and Phil Garland. A big music supporter was Hans Schuitman who started the Flaxwood Festivals which also became a wee tribute to another local legend, Murry Wood. Our events hostess Pat had her car broken into and the clubs laptop with heaps of club info was taken. Maybe whoever did the dirty deed will want to  join up. Ralph and Jan, part of the committee, are taking over running the membership side of the club which is now free to join.